Thunder Rosa has been on a roll since debuting for AEW in 2020 and has dispatched of all challengers for her AEW Women’s World Championship.
Former Champion Nyla Rosa and wrestling veteran Serena Deeb are just some of the names who have failed to take the title from Rosa, but her next challenger may not be signed to AEW at all.
Thunder Rosa’s Next Opponent
According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there have been talks about Rosa defending her title against Miyu Yamashita, a star from the Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling.
The idea for the match came about after Yamashita was said to have done extremely well in terms of streaming during a recent run in the United States.
Yamashita wrestled twice for Prestige Wrestling in Portland Oregon, defeating Impact’s Masha Slamovich on May 28 and fellow TJPW star Maki Itoh the next day.
Yamashita’s biggest match in the U.S. to date was on the June 1, edition of AEW Dark: Elevation, where she and Skyle Blue came up short against Nyla Rose and Deeb.
Who is Miyu Yamashita?
Miyu Yamashita
27-year-old Yamashita began her wrestling career in August 2013 as one of the first members of TJPW.
In 2016, she became the first-ever Tokyo Princess of Princess Champion and holds the records for the most reigns (3) and the most combined days as champion (1,065.)
Outside TJPW, Yamashita has a sole reign as Shine Champion with Shine Wrestling, and three reigns as Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion for DDT Pro-Wrestling.
With her strong kicks and karate-based offense, Yamashita is known as ‘Pink Striker’ in TJPW.
When videos of her devastating head kick circulated online, Yamashita was compared to AEW’s Malakai Black, and the two met when Yamashita worked on Dark: Elevation last week.
That’s goddamn beautiful and what a way to make something that is already out there your own. The stance & angle afterwards are beautiful. https://t.co/HquIFMzcDm
The wrestling business is hurting right now when it comes to injuries. For AEW, this was expected to be the “Summer of Punk” but CM Punk recently had to undergo foot surgery. Adam Cole has reportedly been dealing with a torn labrum.
On the WWE side, Cody Rhodes is expected to be out of action for four to six months after undergoing surgery for a torn right pectoral muscle.
Now, AEW is hoping another one of its current champions hasn’t sustained a serious injury.
Scorpio Sky Update
(via AEW)
Last weekend, TNT Champion Scorpio Sky revealed he aggravated a knee injury during a recent title defense against Dante Martin. Sky said he was hoping that the issue isn’t too serious so that he can return to action soon.
In an update, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that Sky is set to undergo an MRI soon.
Sky seemed to be moving around fine during the June 8 episode of Dynamite when he was cutting a promo. AEW has also planted the seeds for a future TNT Title match between Scorpio Sky and Wardlow.
Time will tell if Sky’s MRI results come back negative.
WWE executives clearly aren’t exempt from the injury bug going around in the wrestling industry.
Late spring certainly hasn’t been kind to promotions. On the WWE side, Cody Rhodes recently underwent successful surgery for a completely torn right pectoral muscle.
With AEW, CM Punk underwent foot surgery, while Adam Cole has reportedly been dealing with a torn labrum.
Now, we’ve got a WWE executive who needs his torn rotator cuff fixed.
Bruce Prichard’s Injury
During an episode of his Something To Wrestle With podcast, Bruce Prichard revealed he has suffered a torn rotator cuff.
“I have a torn rotator cuff. The plan is to get it fixed next Wednesday. Six months rehab. I had colitis. I changed my diet. I started working out. I started getting healthy and started feeling good.
“Actually, man, I put on weight because I’ve been working out and I’m getting stronger and all this good sh*t, feeling really good. But my shoulder was bugging me. So I was going in for treatments for my shoulder.”
Prichard detailed his experience getting the issue diagnosed.
“The doctor said, ‘Well, we’re gonna get the MRI.’ I went to the MRI. I won’t even tell you that story about having a panic attack in the MRI thing. That was pretty frightening, horrible because I’m claustrophobic and they put me in a tube that was the size for like your left toe.
“But anyway, I got it done. It’s torn and I’m gonna get it fixed. It got to the point where I just was in pain all day long and I don’t feel like being in pain all day long, so I’m just going to be in pain for six more months knowing that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”
MVP has responded to reports going around about a hotel confrontation he had with Chris Jericho recently.
A report has begun circulating from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter detailing a confrontation between Porter and Jericho at a Houston hotel from when All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was in town. MVP lives in Houston and was aware AEW would be passing through.
The pair ran into each other around 1a.m. while Jericho was speaking to Matt Hardy. This led to a heated argument, which apparently stems form a falling out they had 18 months prior.
Things never got physical, as Jericho at one point told Porter he doesn’t fight jobbers. This apparently enraged MVP. Now, MVP has taken to Twitter to address the report making the rounds.
MVP said that, although they got the story right, the details seem to be wrong.
Even when they get the story right, they get the details wrong. Gotta love the dirt sheets. ?
MVP is currently working with WWE as an on-screen talent, alongside Omos as his manager. He did get into the ring at the Hell In A Cell premium event this past weekend, teaming with Omos in a handicap match against Bobby Lashley.
Lashley came out on top in the matchup when it was all said and done, despite the odds. MVP had previously been aligned with Lashley as his manager, standing by his side throughout his WWE Title run.
However, the ex-United States Champion turned on “The Almighty” shortly after WrestleMania 38, after MVP felt that Lashley pushed him to the side after returning from injury. Now, the manager has aligned himself with a new giant in Omos.
Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley is the only match confirmed for WWE Money in the Bank, but planning for upcoming premium live event is well underway.
According to the Wrestling Observer, The Usos vs. Matt Riddle and Shinsuke Nakamura for the Unified Tag Team Titles were scheduled for the show a week ago. However, WWE decided to do that match on SmackDown Live instead.
The new plan is to do The Usos vs. The Street Profits at the Vegas event. The story being The Street Profits beat The Usos in a non-title match on RAW, putting them in line for a shot at the titles.
Another match is a United States Title match between Theory and Bobby Lashley, which was teased recently.
WWE Money in the Bank takes place Saturday, July 2nd from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Money in the Bank Plans Changed
Initially, both Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar were scheduled for the Money In The Bank show. However, both men were removed from advertising for the event, and the venue was downsized from the 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium to the 17,000-seat MGM Grand Garden.
Although Reigns has been removed from advertising from the show, discussions of having him headline the show were had as late as last week. Instead, they’ll keep Reigns on ice for the two summer stadium shows.
Those being SummerSlam from Nashville on July 30, and Clash at the Castle in Cardiff on September 3.
One former AEW World Champion wasn’t seen on the June 8 episode of Dynamite and now we know why.
This week’s episode of Dynamite was quite a newsworthy show. AEW introduced the All-Atlantic Championship, Will Ospreay of NJPW made his AEW TV debut, Jon Moxley earned an Interim AEW World Title opportunity, and much more.
There was quite a noticeable absence on the show, however.
Why Chris Jericho Wasn’t at Dynamite
(via AEW)
Chris Jericho wasn’t seen on Dynamite this week. This left many confused as Jericho’s faction is involved in a prominent feud with Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz, and Blackpool Combat Club.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that Jericho was on vacation with his family. The report notes that this was booked in advance three months ago.
On the special Road Ranger edition of AEW Dynamite on June 15, Jericho will face Ortiz in a hair vs. hair match. Jericho will also be involved in a Blood and Guts match on the June 29 episode of Dynamite.
Chris recently made waves after it was reported that he had a face-to-face confrontation with WWE superstar and manager MVP.
That may not be Cena’s only WWE appearance this summer.
John Cena vs. Theory at SummerSlam?
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that as expected, WWE is planning to have John Cena wrestle current United States Champion Theory at SummerSlam.
The report notes that WWE feels such a match would elevate Theory to the level Vince McMahon wants him to be at. Both in storyline and in real life, Vince views Theory as the new “chosen one.”
Both Cena and Theory have been teasing a match. The “Doctor of Thuganomics” recently said his favorite WWE superstar is Theory during a fan Q&A on WWE’s TikTok page. He also said Theory is in most need of an Attitude Adjustment.
WWE SummerSlam will be held inside Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on July 30.
It looks like Stephanie McMahon’s “leave of absence” status has turned into a more permanent move.
Fans were surprised to hear the news that Stephanie was stepping away from her duties as WWE’s Chief Brand Officer last month. At the time, the move was thought to be temporary.
Over the past few weeks, however, higherups within the company have reportedly been burying Stephanie, claiming she wasn’t very good at her job.
Point of No Return?
(via WWE)
A story from Business Insider claims that Vince McMahon was behind Stephanie’s “leave of absence.” Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer has refuted that claim, saying that this was Stephanie’s decision and she had wanted out for a while.
On top of that, Meltzer is reporting that the chances of Stephanie McMahon returning to WWE have “greatly diminished.” As they say, however, time heals all wounds. Meltzer believes there is a chance fences can be mended at some point down the road.
The belief is that something drastic happened since Stephanie made her departure for higherups to turn on her. Meltzer has noted that key stories of sources bashing Stephanie have actually been done with Vince’s approval.
When Stephanie approached Vince about taking a step back a few months ago, the WWE Chairman was said to have been caught off guard.
As far as why the company has decided to bury Stephanie goes, there is no clear answer at this time. Stephanie allegedly nixed MLW’s deal with FOX-Tubi and some have speculated that this could be one of the reasons behind people slamming her.
AEW star Chris Jericho and a WWE talent recently ran into each other and things got heated.
The May 18 episode of AEW Dynamite took place inside the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas. The event featured matches in the Owen Hart Cup.
During that episode, Jericho had a verbal showdown with William Regal.
After the show, Jericho had a real-life argument with a current WWE Superstar.
Chris Jericho & MVP Have Tense Encounter
(via WWE)
MVP lives in Houston and he was aware that AEW was coming to town. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Jericho and MVP ran into each other at a hotel around 1 a.m. This was while Jericho was speaking to Matt Hardy.
Apparently, there was a huge argument between the two. Their beef stems from a falling out they had about 18 months ago.
Things didn’t get physical between the two, but at one point Jericho reportedly told MVP that he doesn’t fight jobbers. This was said to have enraged the WWE onscreen manager.
Alexa Bliss reveals she underwent plastic surgery during her time away from WWE. According to the new Mrs. Cabrera, her nose “finally collapsed” as a result of injuries she sustained during her wrestling career.
Following February’s Elimination Chamber event, Bliss took a 4-month hiatus from WWE programming. She returned to WWE Raw on May 9th.
During an appearance on Wichita’s T95 The Rock Station earlier this week, Bliss spoke about her much-needed break from WWE’s hectic road schedule.
Aside from planning her wedding, which took place in Palm Desert, California back in April, she also got her nose “handled.”
“I had surgery, I had to get my nose all handled because, after six broken noses, it finally collapsed.”
– Alexa Bliss
Alexa Bliss’ Time Away from WWE
She continued, “Then, I took that time, as well as that, to plan my wedding and get married and go on my honeymoon. So it was definitely much needed.”
Bliss said it was great to actually have time to focus on herself for a few months. She is one of WWE’s most popular performers, but that life comes at a cost. She’s been with WWE for nine years and is on the road nearly 200 days per year.
“So, we don’t get a lot of time to plan stuff. So, it was nice to have that time for once and kind of take advantage of that.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Bliss spoke about her new WWE theme music. She’s excited because this version of her theme song is the first time she got to have input on the music and the lyrics.
Fans could soon be learning how to make a small-time wrestling promotion into a global Sports Entertainment juggernaut by none other than Vince McMahon himself.
The WWE Chairman and CEO has certainly proven to be a success, currently boasting an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion, and now McMahon is looking to open up about his life.
The New York Post reports that reps for McMahon are secretly shopping around for a publisher for his memoirs, which will tell about his early life and rise to the top of wrestling.
This isn’t the only McMahon book in the works, however, as Simon & Schuster’s Atria Books will release their own bio ‘Ringmaster’ by Abraham Riesman in early 2023
McMahon’s Memoirs
One source told Page 6 that the book has been compared to shoe guru Phil Knight’s best-seller ‘Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike.’
The source added, “There have been other bios on him and WWE in the past, but this is very much his memoir told in his voice about his rise and life.”
The book is being represented by literary agency Vigliano Associates, who have previously worked with stars including Willie Nelson, Mark Messier, and WWE Hall of Famer Mike Tyson.
From Trailer Park to Titan Towers
Outside the ring, McMahon has had a fascinating life, starting with an incredibly difficult childhood.
Raised as Vinnie Lupton, McMahon’s formative years were spent in trailer parks and has admitted to being beaten by one of his stepfathers Leo Lupton.
Meeting his biological father Vincent J. McMahon at age 12, Vince Jr. and after founding Titan Sports in 1980, would purchase his father’s Capitol Wrestling Corporation in 1982.
In addition to being the WWE owner, McMahon has served in multiple on-screen roles including a commentator, wrestler, and authority figure.
Mick Foley may have gone under several names, including Cactus Jack, Mankind, and Dude Love, but there’s one name the WWE Hall of Famer refused to be known as.
In 1996, Foley joined the WWF after years of establishing himself in WCW and elsewhere but Vince McMahon wanted a brand new name for the “Hardcore Legend.”
On a recent edition of his Foley is Pod podcast, the three-time former WWF Champion recalled being given the name ‘Mason the Mutilator’ (via Wrestling News).
“I felt Mason the Mutilator is one of the worst things I’ve ever heard. It sounds to me like something that would be in a bootleg version of an old Fish card game. It just sounds awful.”
Mick Foley on his originally pitched WWE name.
From Mason to Mankind
Mankind in 1996, after aligning himself with manager Paul Bearer.
Foley added that while he hated the name he felt it would be wrong to refuse ‘Mason the Mutilator’ without pitching something in return.
Foley offered the name ‘Mankind the Mutilator,’ telling the Chairman of WWE that when people spoke about “the future of mankind andthe destructionof mankind” it would be related to him.
While McMahon didn’t get the idea at first, he jotted it down on a yellow legal pad, and the decision was later made to drop the ‘Mutilator’ title entirely.
On the post-WrestleMania 12 edition of Monday Night Raw, Mankind debuted by defeating Bob ‘Spark Plug’ Holly, and would never have to worry about the Mutilator name again.
As a wrestler of over 30 years, Eric Young is no stranger to championship gold, but one prize that has alluded him is the NXT Championship.
In 2016, Young signed with WWE after a lengthy run in Impact Wrestling and formed the group Sanity alongside Killian Dain, Alexander Wolfe, Nikki Cross, and briefly Sawyer Fulton.
The group did hold the NXT Tag Team Championships, but Young never captured the brand’s top prize, despite at least one of his Sanity cohorts thinking he was ready.
Speaking to the Two Man Power Trip Of Wrestling podcast, Dain said there was a window of time when he felt Young could’ve feuded with Shinsuke Nakamura who at the time held the NXT Championship.
That feud never transpired which remains a sore spot for Dain who said (via Bodyslam):
“WWE were idiots for not putting the NXT Championship on Eric Young while we were in NXT.”
Killian Dain on Young’s push in WWE.
Young after WWE
Young captured his second Impact World Championship upon his return to the company following his April 2020 WWE release.
Eric Young’s career in WWE may not have gone as he (or Dain) may have hoped, but the Canadian wrestler has done well for him since.
At July 2020’s Slammiversary event, Young returned to Impact Wrestling and captured the promotion’s World Championship in September that same year.
Young’s reign would end the following month when he lost the title to Rich Swann.
At next weekend’s Slammiversary, Young will once again challenge for the Impact World Championship, now held by fellow Canadian Josh Alexander.
Wrestling documentary Out In The Ring has won the Best Canadian Feature at Inside Out Toronto, Canada’s largest LGBTQ film festival.
The documentary, chronicling the history of LGBTQ identities in pro wrestling is directed by Ry Levey. It had been in production for a long time.
The film felt the effects of the covid-19 pandemic as well as the #MeToo and #SpeakingOut moments. It was finally released on June 3 after 4 years in development.
Out In The Ring features many prominent wrestling figures from past and present. It includes names such as Chyna, Mike Parrow, Sonny Kiss, Chris Kanyon, Pat Patterson, Sue Green, Dani Jordyn, Effy, Charlie Morgan, Sandy Parker, Pollo Del Mar, Jordan Blade, Reiza Clarke and Wade Keller.
A number of featured stars were in attendance for a panel after the film’s release. They talked about things such as the history of homophobia in pro wrestling.
Levey noted how Inside Out was the first film festival he attended after coming out himself 25 years ago. He said that winning this prize is a full circle moment and it’s a true privilege.
Other movies that won awards at the ceremony include Amelia Eloisa’s “We Will Never Belong” (Best Narrative Feature), Joseph Sackett’s “Homebody” (Best First Feature) and Jacquie Lawrence’s “Gateways Grind” (Best Documentary Feature).
Rhodes has been widely praised for his gutsy performance at the WWE Hell in a Cell premium live event on June 5. Ahead of his third televised encounter with Seth Rollins, Cody completely tore his right pectoral muscle.
Brandi Rhodes, Cody’s wife, took to her Twitter account to share some good news. Cody’s pectoral tendon was torn completely off of the bone, which makes his performance at Hell in a Cell even more impressive. Thankfully, surgery was successful and his recovery journey begins.
The doctor just repaired Cody's pectoral tendon which was torn completely off the bone. Successful surgery. He is on the road to recovery now.
During the post-Hell in a Cell episode of Raw, Cody hinted at still trying to perform at Money in the Bank on July 2 but he’s expected to miss four to six months of action.
Cody was attacked by Rollins on the June 6 episode of Raw but refused assistance and walked to the back on his own power.
The wrestling industry has been bogged down by injuries as of late. CM Punk, the AEW World Champion, recently had surgery on his foot. Cody Rhodes underwent surgery for a completely torn right pectoral muscle.
Bryan Danielson has been given a week or two off due to an undisclosed injury that forced him to miss a meet and greet.
Another AEW star has been getting some time to rest and now we know why.
Extent of Adam Cole’s Injury
(via AEW)
AEW pulled Adam Cole from a scheduled 10-man tag team match on the June 1 episode of Dynamite. Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer reported that this was due to AEW letting Cole rest to heal from some sort of shoulder issue.
Since then, sources have told Fightful that Cole has suffered a torn labrum. Neither Cole nor AEW have commented on the reported injury.
Given the nature of the injury, it could take Cole some time to properly heal. Of course, it all depends on how severe the tear is.
It’s been said that Cole has been dealing with the injury dating back to his feud with Hangman Page.
One high-profile superstar isn’t expected to make an appearance on the June 10 episode of SmackDown.
This week’s episode of SmackDown will be held inside the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Ricochet will be putting the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line against Gunther.
While some speculation has run rampant on social media, one major star will not be returning tomorrow night.
Charlotte Flair A No Go For SmackDown
(via WWE)
Charlotte’s husband, Andrade El Idolo, made his return to AEW TV this past Wednesday on Dynamite. The two had been on their honeymoon but now that Andrade is back, it led some to wonder if Charlotte would follow suit this week.
PWInsider is reporting that Charlotte Flair is not on tap for tomorrow’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE wrote Charlotte off TV at the conclusion of her WrestleMania Backlash match with Ronda Rousey. WWE’s storyline update was that Charlotte suffered a fractured radius in the match.
Charlotte is actually fine and is expected to reignite her feud with Rousey once she returns.
Alexa Bliss seems to have gotten herself involved in a feud that’s playing itself out on AEW TV.
Of course, Bliss is a member of the WWE roster. She is seen on Monday Night Raw. Her good friend Athena, formerly known as Ember Moon in WWE, now performs in AEW.
Athena has been feuding with an AEW champion and Alexa is jumping in with some words of her own.
Bliss Takes Aim at Jade Cargill
(via AEW)
Athena seems primed for a TBS Championship match with titleholder Jade Cargill. The two have been heated ever since Athena debuted in AEW at Double or Nothing.
Jade took to her Twitter account to rip Athena for trying to pull off a “Mandy-ish” look in reference to NXT Women’s Champion Mandy Rose.
You ask me. You look rather “Mandy-ish”. I thought you weren’t trying to be sexy? ? got close to a REAL goddess and seen you have to switch it up! ?? but you guys want this woman to take my spot? Bitch GTFOH. @AthenaPalmer_FG@AEWhttps://t.co/2fpN3kGfnn
“You ask me. You look rather “Mandy-ish”. I thought you weren’t trying to be sexy? got close to a REAL goddess and seen you have to switch it up! but you guys want this woman to take my spot? Bitch GTFOH.”
Athena responded to Jade with the following tweet.
— Athena is ROH and All Elite! (@AthenaPalmer_FG) June 9, 2022
“@Jade_Cargill that’s real rich coming from someone who’s also buff blonde… Mandy & Charlotte are already taken. Move on hussy. I hope you keep that same energy next time I see you… #AndNew #FallenGoddess”
Alexa Bliss wouldn’t stand for the slander, claiming she doesn’t even know who Jade Cargill is.
I’d love to get mad at someone who’s coming after my bestie… but I’m still trying to figure out who the heck they even are … ? @AthenaPalmer_FGpic.twitter.com/oCS7AEJ4MI
— Lexi (Kaufman) Cabrera (@AlexaBliss_WWE) June 9, 2022
“I’d love to get mad at someone who’s coming after my bestie… but I’m still trying to figure out who the heck they even are … ?”
Although AEW has a loaded roster, there have been several wrestlers out with injuries. The good news is some of those stars are getting closer to returning to in-ring action, which is much needed after AEW World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk went down with an injury that will result in him getting surgery.
He’s expected to be out of action for several months and the promotion is crowing an Interim World Champion at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view event later this month.
AEW President Tony Khan is thanking fans for watching this week’s Dynamite — and also hinted at several injured stars coming back soon.
“I appreciate you wrestlers/staff/fans, & excited for *many* injured stars returning as we approach Road Rager + Forbidden Door!”
– Tony Khan
AEW’s Sidelined Stars
Kenny Omega, Bryan Danielson, Sting, Orange Cassidy, and Kip Sabian are just some of the names that have been sidelined. Of course, AEW World Champion CM Punk is also out of action with a foot injury, but won’t be back in action any time soon.
Omega’s last match came when he dropped the AEW World Championship to “Hangman” Adam Page at Full Gear. He took time off to heal up from various injuries and has since undergone arthroscopic knee surgery as well as surgery to repair a sports hernia.
In late May, Sting took a double superkick from The Young Bucks and he had his ankle smashed by Kyle O’Reilly. It’s possible that the angle was done to cover for a nagging injury that he needed to take care of as he was pulled from the AEW meet and greets over Double Or Nothing weekend.
Danielson was hurt in the Anarchy in the Arena match at Double Or Nothing, although there’s no exact word on the injury. He is only expected to be out of action for 1 or 2 weeks.
KiLynn King is no longer working for AEW at least for now.
King did an interview with Fightful and confirmed that she was done with All Elite Wrestling after spending two years there and working dozens of matches.
The promotion didn’t offer her a new contract so she let them know that she was very appreciative for them giving her a chance but wanted to explore some different paths, as well as help, make an impression in wrestling somewhere else.
Billy Gunn, who works as a producer/wrestler for the promotion, told her that the door remains open. She said that she was very grateful for her time there, and hopes she can return in the future. She is not under a full-time contract with NWA and is still a free agent.
King stated that when she was booked to go over in her matches despite originally being brought in as an enhancement talent was a shock to her. After she got her first win in AEW, she thought they were getting a look at the TNA veteran Lei’D Tapa, but Dustin Rhodes told her that she was winning, then it just kept happening.
King will challenge Kamille for the NWA Women’s Title at the Alwayz Ready pay-per-view this Saturday that will air on FITE TV at 7 pm EST with the price tag of $24.99.
One former WWE producer believes the company’s higher-ups were more confrontational than collaborative.
Lance Storm had served as a producer for WWE before being let go due to budget cuts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. He is now back with IMPACT Wrestling as a producer and coach.
He has discussed the biggest difference working behind the scenes for both companies.
During an interview Ariel Helwani (via POST Wrestling), Storm said there’s far less finger-pointing in IMPACT than there is in WWE.
“Again, the experience I had when I worked with IMPACT the first time, it’s like, I liked everybody. I liked the atmosphere.
“There’s a really great team atmosphere and that to me is the real big difference maker that I noticed between when I was in WWE and not to bury WWE, they have their thing and live TV is different but, when you’re sitting on headset in WWE, it feels confrontational.
“And when you’re sitting on headset in IMPACT, it feels collaborative. You’ve got the Director who’s asking, you’ve got Josh [Matthews] who’s doing — but it all feels like we’re all trying our best and if something happens that doesn’t go as perfectly as you want, it feels like we’re all just gonna try to figure out how we can make it better next time.
“Rather than feeling like you’ve been pointed out and chastised for something and it’s just, atmosphere is so much more rewarding when it feels collaborative than confrontational.”
One WWE superstar may have sustained an injury during a recent taping.
As they say in WWE, “this ain’t ballet.” There is a risk that superstars run every time they step inside the ring. Even doing routine moves can lead to serious injury, which is why the company advises fans not to try these acts at home.
For one NXT Champion, she may have been injured but it’s also possible she avoided anything serious.
Gigi Dolin’s Injury Scare
(via WWE)
A spoiler report from PWInsider noted that there was a moment during a recent set of NXT tapings where Gigi Dolin was on the receiving end of a cannonball from Cora Jade. Gigi did not get up, so Cora pinned her immediately.
When Cody Rhodes cut his first promo back in WWE since his return, he established a mission statement of winning the title his father never had the chance to—the WWE Championship. Based on the way he was booked to sweep a three-match series with Seth Rollins, it would appear he was on track for just that accomplishment.
While his injury to his pectoral muscle may have seemed to derail that momentum the fact that he still won his last match before stepping away inside Hell in a Cell, and delivered such a well-received, gritty performance in the process suggest he may well pick up where he left off and still be on track to wind up WWE Champion. But what will that road look like?
Cody Wins The Royal Rumble As a Surprise Entrant
WWE Royal Rumble
For the last three decades, there’s been no better established traditional journey to the WWE Championship than winning the Royal Rumble and going on to challenge for the title at WrestleMania. Early reports suggest Cody Rhodes will miss six-to-twelve months for this injury. If he can return on the early end of that range, he would fit the mold of electrifying surprise entrants to the Royal Rumble and would make a lot of sense as a choice to win it all.
Of course, that opens the question of whom Rhodes would challenge at WrestleMania. It would not make sense for him to go toe to toe with Roman Reigns there, assuming the rumored plans are true for Reigns to face The Rock in LA.
Additionally, Reigns is about the only WWE roster member who still feels off limits for The American Nightmare to defeat. Seth Rollins could, however, be in play.
Cody Helps Seth Rollins Win the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble
It’s not unheard of for a world title match to go on after the Royal Rumble at the annual PPV, or with two Rumble matches in the mix, the men’s could go on early while the women’s version closes the show. Whatever the mechanics may be, Cody Rhodes could win the Royal Rumble, then have an active role in Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Championship later in the show.
Rollins is an established enough top tier star for WWE that he’ll never not make sense in a world title picture. Moreover, given the fact he technically beat Reigns at Royal Rumble 2022, there’s some poeticism to him getting his rematch at Royal Rumble 2023. With only the WWE Championship on the line, Rhodes could be the difference maker in helping Rollins win this match and title.
That finish would protect Reigns, and he might even be confronted by a returning Rock after the match, to offer a reason for him not to immediately seek revenge on Rhodes. Meanwhile it would make some sense to put the WWE title on Rollins, whom Rhodes has unfinished business with after The Messiah attacked him during his last appearance on Raw.
Cody Beats Seth Rollins At WrestleMania
(WWE)
While there’s a large portion of the WWE audience that’s ready to move on from Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins, their story really does feel incomplete given the way Rollins attacked an already injured American Nightmare. Rhodes vs. Rollins one more time at WrestleMania can pay off that storyline, give Rhodes a champion to beat who’s not Roman Reigns, and, importantly, would all but guarantee another excellent match. It might even feel somewhat fresh again after ten months of the two not working matches together.
With Rhodes going 4-0 against Rollins, the story could truly be finished between these two, and bring The American Nightmare’s comeback journey full circle with another huge WrestleMania victory.
Cody Rhodes Vs. Roman Reigns
(WWE)
If The Rock vs. Roman Reigns does happen at WrestleMania 39, it’s not clear who would emerge victorious. On one hand, The Rock is a wrestling legend and legit A-list celebrity whom fans would buy beating Reigns. On the other hand, it seems unlikely Rock will stick around WWE to defend a title or work many more matches at all after this one. Also, Reigns beating Rock may be a proper capstone to his dominant run.
Cody Rhodes would remain one of the few top talents Reigns hadn’t defeated, and with the story of him costing The Tribal Chief the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble—not to mention winning the title himself afterward—it would only be natural for the two to clash after WrestleMania, maybe saving the dream match for SummerSlam.
It’s too soon to say which of the two would make sense as the winner, but it’s a natural destination for both to head to, after The American Nightmare realizes his destiny as WWE Champion.
Time will tell how things play out, with injuries, fan reactions, a Money in the Bank briefcase, and other wrestlers surging with momentum all in play to alter the future of WWE. Nonetheless, the story of Cody Rhodes vs. WWE Champion Seth Rollins (and by extension Roman Reigns) can begin at the 2023 Royal Rumble.
NXT Champion Bron Breakker will be putting his title on the line against Cameron Grimes at the upcoming NXT Great American Bash special.
This week, WWE recorded both the June 14 and June 21, editions of NXT 2.0 with the current plan being for the show to go back to being live on June 28.
During the June 14, episode, Breakker will defeat Duke Hudson to retain his title only to be confronted after the match by Grimes.
Grimes will challenge Breakker for a title match at the Great American Bash on July 5, which the NXT Champion will accept.
Bron Breakker’s rise to the top
Bron Breakker is still in his rookie year in WWE, but the second-generation Superstar has made serious waves so far.
Breakker is already a two-time NXT Champion, having dethroned Tommaso Ciampa and Dolph Ziggler, but has quickly established himself as a bonafide main eventer on WWE’s weekly Tuesday show.
It’s been reported that WWE has plans to fast-track Breakker to the main roster which explains his brief run on Raw earlier this year.
Can Grimes win the big one?
At the recent In Your House special this past Saturday, Cameron Grimes’ reign as NXT North American Champion was ended by Carmelo Hayes.
This was Grimes’ first reign as North American Champion, which ended at 65 days, but not his first time holding a title in NXT 2.0.
Athena has opened up as to why she wanted to make the move from WWE to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Speaking on the “Complex Unsanctioned” podcast, Athena said the more she kept seeing her friends from her indie days getting a platform on AEW pay-per-views (PPVs), the more she wanted to be a part of it.
“When you look at the AEW PPVs and you’re seeing all of my friends that I used to roll with on the indies and they’re finally getting the platform that they deserve and it’s just like, ‘Man, they look like they’re having so much fun and I gotta be a part of it,’ you know?”
“And it just kept setting in. It’s like the more time that went on there the more I was just looking at AEW, the more I was like longing to be at AEW.”
Athena signed with WWE in 2015, going by the name Ember Moon. She was a staple in the NXT women’s division, capturing the NXT Women’s Title at one point.
Moon got her call up to the main roster in 2018 after WrestleMania 34.
Unfortunately, her run on the main roster didn’t result in any meaningful push as a singles competitor, eventually landing her back in NXT in 2020.
She reigned as NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions with Shotzi Blackheart, but was released soon after their title reign ended, leaving the company in November of 2021.
After a brief run on the independent circuit, Athena made her AEW debut at the Double Or Nothing PPV. She won her debut match on the June 3 episode of Dynamite, defeating Kiera Hogan.
